First of all, I want to personally thank every one of our team members who have stood with us in prayer and financial support for the people of Puerto Rico as they have faced what seems like a never-ending nightmare of earthquakes.

Just since Friday, amazingly five earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or higher have struck the island, including a 5.0 quake on Saturday. One report indicates that only 20% of the schools in Puerto Rico are "open and deemed safe," and none of the schools along the south and southwest coast have opened.

I'm so grateful that Mercy Chefs has been in a unique position to help. Because of our extensive work in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria two years ago, we already had partners and key resources in place that allowed us to mobilize almost immediately and quickly establish a kitchen base to serve meals to hurting communities and "tent villages" -- many of which were beyond the reach of most relief aid. And as I shared a few days ago, Mercy Chefs was able to assist in providing meals and other resources to about 200 children who were among those who couldn't yet return to school.

Moving forward, this week our contacts and partners on the ground are continuing the meal service efforts we initiated. In the coming days and weeks, Mercy Chefs will work with our partners to continue to meet critical needs, both financially and through providing hot meals, however the need dictates.

Once again, thank you so much or partnering with Mercy Chefs. 

God bless!

Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Chefs

P.S. Pictured here are a few of the children your support has blessed in Puerto Rico. Thanks for helping to put a smile on so many faces in the midst of such uncertainty. We could still use your help with Mercy Chefs' ongoing support of the earthquake victims in Puerto Rico as well as other vital outreaches. To make your tax-deductible gift, go here: